Mrs. Laureen Harper supports Soles4Souls

 I am pleased to provide this letter of support for Canada Soles4Souls and the Million Shoe Mission. I understand the plight of those who cannot afford a nice pair of shoes, and I appreciate the value of a program that offers quality footwear to these vulnerable individuals. I appreciate the importance of putting your best foot forward.

Having a nice selection of shoes is indeed a luxury that many of us take for granted. I would encourage everybody to take a quick peek in their closets, and see if there is a pair or two of shoes that have been forgotten. There are people across Canada who would benefit from your generosity, as well as people around the world.

I look forward to having the opportunity to donate a pair of my shoes to this incredible initiative.

Sincerely,

Laureen Harper

Article From: http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/2012/03/mrs-laureen-harper-supports-soles4souls-canada/

Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair http://www.roysshoes.com 1627 Ellis Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8 250-763-5696

Another successful Soles4Souls campaign in Kelowna!!

Jim Belshaw winds up another successful Soles4Souls campaign in Kelowna with the help of Phil Johnson at 1150 Talk Radio.

Soles4Souls 2011 - AM1150 from Jerry Mason on Vimeo.
Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair http://www.roysshoes.com 1627 Ellis Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8 250-763-5696

Soles4Souls Canada reaches his goal of 100,000 shoes

Jim Belshaw of Kelowna reaches his goal of 100,000 shoes. Castanet's Kelly Hayes reports.
Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Campaign collects 60,000 donated shoes

Kelowna Capital News - Business

By Barry Gerding - Kelowna Capital News

Published: May 18, 2011 3:00 AM

Residents across the province are showing a lot of soul in supporting a shoe collection initiative started in Kelowna.

The second annual Sunrise Rotary Club’s Soles4Souls shoe drive is nearly complete, with some 60,000 pairs of shows donated this year.

Rotarian Jim Belshaw, owner of Roy’s Shoes in Kelowna and the driving force behind the campaign, said that is 20,000 more shoes than were collected last year.

On Tuesday, a number of local social service agencies were picking over shoes that could be used by their program participants.

“Last year, agencies put about 7,000 to 8,000 shoes back into the community for people in need of them,” Belshaw said.

The remainder are sent to the head distribution centre for the Soles4Souls program in Nevada, where the unwanted shoes are then sent to countries all over the world.

“It’s something I guess that everyone can identify with, we all have shoes in our closets that we don’t wear but could still be useful to people not as fortunate as ourselves,” Belshaw said.

“Otherwise, they just end up in the landfill, so there is a great recycling benefit as well.”

Chris Talbot , a volunteer with Freedom’s Door, non-profit society that uses the Twelve Step program and Christian principles to rehabilitate men struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction, was among the agency representatives collecting shoes for its clients on Tuesday.

“This is a huge benefit as we have 40 guys in the treatment program and many of them don’t have very much,” Talbot said.

He said finding runners for each of their program participants means they can benefit from the exercise routine the program offers through Parkinson Recreation Centre.

The same applies to steel-toed boots that can allow Freedom’s Door participants who are ready to go back into the workforce.

Belshaw said Rotary Clubs across the province have gravitated to the program, many indicating that next year their Rotary clubs will actively support the campaign.

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles4Souls collects over 60,000 shoes and Shoes going to Slave Lake

As posted on Castanet

Jim Belshaw from Roy's Shoes

 The Soles4Souls joint project of Kelowna Sunrise Rotary and Roy’s Shoes has collected 60,000 pairs of shoes and boots to send to disaster and relief agencies in the developing world.

Even more shoes are on the way from Vancouver Island.

After the disaster in Slave Lake this week, volunteers gathered 2,500 pairs of Keen shoes, both new and lightly worn, to send off to the fire victims.

Locally, representatives from volunteer organizations including the Kelowna Boys and Girls Club, United Church and Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society were at the warehouse on Tuesday to pick out 2,000 pairs of shoes for their Outreach Programs.

Monetary donations are being accepted to buy new pairs of sandals which cost $1.00 per pair. To make a donation visit http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/  and follow the links

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles4Souls Canada - 40,000 Collected - It's Not Too Late To Help!

It's Not Too Late To Help!

40,000 Collected todate

for

Soles4Souls Canada

The Kelowna Sunrise Rotary’s Million Shoe Mission is nearing the end of the second annual S4S shoe drive for this year. Our last official day for shoe donations is this coming Saturday May 14th 2011.

Total collected to date is in the neighborhood of 40,000 pairs of shoes.

We just received close to 3,000 pairs of near new Keen shoes and boots which finished filling the first 53 foot trailer, we are now working on second one trailer.

UBCO, Victoria, Chilliwack and other locations are coming in this week. We expect to finish with over 50,000 pairs!

It is not too late to make a difference in someone’s life by dropping off a pair of gently used shoes to any Capri Insurance, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, McDonalds, Starbucks locations or Roy’s Shoes. Official drop off locations are all @

http://soles4soulskelowna.blogspot.com/p/drop-off-locations.html


Also people can donate cash if they prefer - One dollar = One pair new shoes. Go to Roy's Shoes or http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/

An invite is going out to the local Kelowna social agencies so they can take what ever footwear they need for their clients and is planned for the 3rd week of May.

For more information contact Jim Belshaw (250) 763-5696 or Cell (250) 870-1191



Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Thing for Shoes - Ladies Night taking place at the store on May 5 from 4 to 9 pm

Tracy Rippel, Mark’s Work Warehouse

Tracy Rippel, Mark’s Work Warehouse store operator, is surrounded by shoe donations already collected as part of the Soles4Souls campaign. 

Participating as an official drop-off location for the charity, gently used shoes can be brought to the store through to May 14. 

During the upcoming Ladies Night taking place at the store on May 5 from 4 to 9 pm., customers will received an additional 5 percent off the already store -wide 20 percent discount if a pair of shoes are brought in or a $1 to $2 donation towards the project is received. 

Remember to attach pairs together with an elastic ban or tie the laces.  Last year 7,000 pairs of the 40,000 pairs of shoes collected remained in the Okanagan and were distributed out to the community through agencies like Gospel Mission, Now Canada, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and the Friendship Centre. 

The remaining shoes were shipped to the people most in need.  For more information on Soles4Souls visit the website: wwwsoles4soulscanada.com. 

In addition to this charity, if $65 is spent during the Ladies Night shopping evening, Mark’s will donate $5 to breast cancer research.  Since 2002, more than one million dollars has been raised for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada. 

Store is located at #102-3550 Carrington Rd.   Call 250-768-1934 for more information.

As posted in the Westside Weekly Sunday May1st, 2011

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles4Souls deadline extended to May 14th 2011

Volunteer Barb Hassard, right, sorts shoes at the Soles4Souls warehouse on Tuesday.

The deadline for the Soles4Souls campaign has been extended, and there is no excuse for those hoarding extra shoes in their closets. "Every pair will make a difference in someone's life, there are hundreds of millions of kids and adults in this world with no shoes what-so-ever," says organizer Jim Belshaw. Belshaw, who owns Roy's Shoes, encourages Okanagan residents to dig through their closets and donate all unused shoes. "Take a moment before or after work, throw them in your car, drop them off at any Mark's Work Wearhouse, Roy's Shoes, McDonalds or Starbucks. There are locations all over, so there is no excuse for not finding somewhere to drop them off -- so make a difference in somebody's life," says Belshaw. Belshaw's goal was to gather 100,000 pairs of shoes by April 30, but that deadline has now been extended to May 14. "Last week, UBC-O called me and said, 'is it to late to get on board -- can we extend the drive.'" Belshaw says several other groups from other cities across the province have also come aboard, "Victoria just came on board, Trail just came on board, Port Alberni just came on board so we've extended until the May 14. Shoes just keep coming in, so we're going to keep collecting as long as we can." So far, approximately 30,000 shoes have been collected. Last year, the campaign gathered 40,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days.
by Daniel Hayduk - Story: 61653 Apr 28, 2011 / 5:00 am

For more information:

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles4Souls Shoe Sort Kelowna Canada 2011

For more information about donations contact:
Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
Ellis Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

UBC OKANAGAN EMPLOYEES…DONATING TO SOLES4SOULS

UBC OKANAGAN EMPLOYEES… CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS

& DROP OFF YOUR GENTLY-USED SHOES TO

UNC 207 from April 26th to May 5th

Jim Belshaw of Kelowna’s Roy's Shoes has set a goal to collect 100,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days!

Last year, 7,000 pairs of the 40,000 pairs of shoes collected remained in the Okanagan and the remaining shoes were shipped to people most in need, primarily Haiti last year, and this year arrangements have already been made for Japan.

We ask that the shoes be gently used. All footwear is needed.

PLEASE TIE LACES OR PAIR USING ELASTICS.

We will have bins in UNC 207 and have received free shoe collection bins and pick up/drop off services from Kelowna’s Uniform Company, CINTAS.

For more information http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/
or http://soles4soulskelowna.blogspot.com/

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Student Julia Bower collects 500 pairs of shoes !!!

Student Julia Bower collected 500 pairs of shoes at her grade 8 home room class at Spring Valley Middle Scholl and her neighbors in Joe Rich.

To help contact:

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Starbucks Steps Up for Soles4Souls

Starbucks in the Okanagan has joined the effort to help raise shoes for Soles4Souls.

Drop off your gentle worn shoes and recieve a free coffee.

We all know Starbucks cafes can be found ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE, so for those of you who want to help via a donation, head to Starbucks!

Most of us do on a daily basis anyway!!!

For more information contact:

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair

http://www.roysshoes.com/

1627 Ellis Street

Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Total Delivery leads shoe drive

Victoria-based Total Delivery Systems, a provincewide courier and distribution company, is going the extra mile for a worthwhile cause.

The company is collecting new and gently used shoes for the needy, and you can drop them off at Total's headquarters at 450 Banga Pl., just off Tennyson Avenue in Saanich, or any of the company's nine locations in B.C. Check their website: http://www.totaldeliverysystems.com/ 

Total is backing an initiative by the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club to collect 100,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days. The campaign started April 6 and runs through to the end of the month.

The Rotary Club has adopted Roy's Shoes Soles4Souls campaign, a charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of homes around the world.

Since 2005, 13.5 million pairs have been given to those in need in 127 countries. -
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/Total+Delivery+leads+shoe+drive/4613512/story.html#ixzz1JsyBFqlT
 
For more info about soles4soulscanada contact:

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Kelowna Rockets Support the Soles4Souls Campaign

The Kelowna Rockets have put their support behind Jim Belshaw and the Soles4Souls campaign to raise 100,000 Pairs of Shoes in 25 days.

Jim Belshaw and Roy’s Shoes has entered in a partnership with the International Shoe Charity “Soles4Souls.”

Bring your gently worn shoes to the Kelowna Rockets vs Prince George Cougars Home Game at Prospera Place on April 13, 2011.

WE NEED YOU TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS

Estimates show that every person has 3 to 4 pairs of shoes in their closet that they are not wearing any more, but are still in good shape. We ask that you clean out your closets and convince your friends, neighbours and relatives to do the same.

We ask that the shoes be gently used. All footwear including sandals and boots are needed.
The drop off center will be setup close to the main gate on Game day!!!

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.royshoes.com/
http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/  
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Shoe campaign seeks old soles - Soles4Souls Kelowna Canada

As Posted on Castanet - by Grant Scott - Story: 61313

On Wednesday, a unique campaign kicked off in Kelowna with the Roy’s Shoes Soles4Souls shoe campaign.

Jim BelshawRoy's Shoes, at 1627 Ellis Street in Kelowna has teamed up with the Kelowna Sunshine Rotary Club and committed to collect 1 million pairs of shoes within the next 5 years.

This year’s goal is to collect 100,000 pairs in 25 days. That's a significant increase over last year when the campaign collected over 40,000 pairs of Shoes in 25 days.

If the first couple of days is any indication, the goal is attainable.
"I've got four or five boxes filled up many times here already," says Jim Belshaw, the owner of Roy's Shoes. "Now that we have spread out all the way to Osoyoos, we're on the Island, in the Kootenay's, Kamloops has come on strong, so I think doubling or tripling last year's efforts is going to be an easy thing to do."

Last year 7,000 pairs of the 40,000 pairs of shoes collected remained in the Okanagan and were distributed out to the community through agencies like Gospel Mission, Now Canada, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and the Friendship Centre.

The remaining shoes were shipped to a Soles4Souls sorting centre in Nevada where they were resorted and shipped to the people most in need, primarily Haiti last year.

It's estimated every person has at least 3 or 4 pairs of shoes in their closet that are not worn any more but still in good shape. Belshaw hopes people will clean out their closets and convince friends, neighbours and relatives to do the same. Or, if they like, make a donation of new footwear.

"We had a lady yesterday who went to a store that had a sale on kids shoes. She bought over a dozen pairs of kids shoes and brought those in." says Belshaw.

All footwear including sandals and boots are accepted and needed, but please remember to tie the shoes together or use elastic bands to hold the shoes in pairs.

If you’re interested in supporting Soles4Souls’ relief efforts, you can drop off shoes at Roy’s Shoes, All Capri Insurance, Marks Work Wearhouse, McDonalds and OK Tire Shops, or anyone of the drop off locations listed at http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/   or call Roy’s Shoes 250-763-5696 for more information.

You can also make a cash donation that goes a long way.

"Last year, we could buy a brand new pair of sandals for $2.50. We've now bought so many shoes through head office that we can buy a brand new pair of shoes for a dollar." says Belshaw.

To make a cash donation go to http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/ and click on link.

Since it’s inception in 2005 Soles4Souls have distributed over 13.5 million pairs of shoes, supports 127 countries and is committed to assisting Japan with 100,000 pairs of shoes already shipped with more to come.

Whether it’s Southeast Asia, New Orleans, Haiti, Africa, or Japan, Soles4Souls is committed to helping people in the midst of extreme poverty and those recovering from natural disasters by providing shoes that will protect them from disease and provide them a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.


Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles4Souls Canada 2011 Global CHBC

For more information contact:

Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Shoemaker looking for good soles

By J.P Squire - The Daily Courier

Soles4Souls Campain kicks off to collect 100,000 shoes for charity.

Jim Belshaw wants to change the world, one pair of shoes at a time.

The Kelowna shoemaker now has help from his colleagues at the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club – and from a long list of sponsors – for his Soles4Souls campaign.

Last year, the owner of Roy’s Shoes Boots and Repair at 1627 Ellis Street collected more than 40,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days for Soles4Souls, a Nashville based charity that has distributed 13.5 million pairs of footwear to impoverished resident of 127 countries.

On Wednesday, he announced the Million Shoe Mission, a campaign to collect one million pairs of footwear over the next five years. His and the Sunrise Rotarians’ immediate goal is 1000,000 pairs in 25 days, and achievable goal since they will have help from other Rotary clubs and organizations throughout the province, from Victoria to Prince George to the Kootenays.

“I’m confident we will do it, probably within three to four years,” Belshaw told reporters at his downtown Kelowna shop.

“My goal – I’m not sure if it’s my club’s goal – is to make this a Canada-wide, national program. After that, we’ll go international.”

“It’s very exciting,” Mayor Sharon Shepherd, noting everyone thought last year’s goal of 25,000 pair was lofty. Quite frankly, great ideas are (just) great ideas until someone decides they really want to make it happen. Jim is one of those.”

In 2010, 7,000 of the 40,000 pairs stayed in the Okanagan, she added, distributed to those in need through Kelowna Gospel Mission , Now Canada, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre.

Maxine DeHart, who had one of last year’s drop-offs, joked her Ramada Hotel office was continually filled with shoes despite regular pick-ups. “It was unbelievable. When I saw what happened last year, you are not going to have trouble reaching that goal,” she told Belshaw. Vernon and Penticton Ramada hotels are also collecting footwear.

Afterward, Belshaw told The Daily Courier Soles4Souls just sent 100,000 pairs to Japan with others going to Haiti, Mexico and Peru.

If you don’t have shoes to donate, $1 will buy a brand new pair of shoes for somebody,” he said.

Donations can be made through http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/  by following the link to Kelowna Sunrise Rotary or donors can go directly to http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/

There are many reasons why he started his campaign last year, Belshaw added. “Because I could, because the need was so great. Haiti last year, sparked this. Man, I thought they are going to need lots of help, and we’ve all got dozens of pairs of shoes at home that we don’t wear anymore.”

So many dangerous and deadly diseases can enter the human body through cuts and abrasions on the feet, he said, especially the young kids.”

Donated shoes should have no holes in the soles and should be in decent shape. Shoes should be tied together or held together by elastic bands. Shoe drop-off locations, including Roy’s Shoes, Capri Insurance, Mark’s Work Warehouse, McDonald’s and OK Tire Shops, are listed at

http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/

Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street Kelowna,  BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Sole man collects shoes for the poor. Souls4Soles Million Shoe Mission

By Sean Connor - Kelowna Capital News Published: April 08, 2011 5:00 AM Jim Belshaw, of Roy’s Shoes in downtown Kelowna, is again collecting shoes for the international charity Soles4Souls, with the support of the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club. The goal this year to collect 100,000 pairs of shoes by April 30, to be distributed first to local agencies that help people in need, with the remainder shipped to the Soles4Souls sorting centre in Nevada to provide footwear for people in other countries living in poverty. Last year, 7,000 of the 40,000 pairs of shoes collected were distributed across the Okanagan. For local drop-off locations see http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/  or call Roy’s Shoes at 250-763-5696. Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repairs http://www.roysshoes.com/ 1627 Ellis Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8 250-763-5696

AM1150 Newscentre - Soles4Souls campaign launched in Kelowna

Kelowna residents can put their heart and soul into a shoe campaign aimed helping the less priviledged on a worldwide scale. Roy's Shoes has launched it's Soles4Souls campaign is running April 6th through the 30th, with a goal of collecting 100,000 pairs of showes in 25 days.

The man behind the campaign, Jim Belshaw says Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club is taking it one step further. "Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club's goal is a million shoes in five years." Belshaw says he gets behind the Soles$Souls campaign, because he can. "

After I saw what happened in Haiti last year, that's what sparked this, and I saw what the Soles4Souls fella in nashville did for people in South East Asia, I thought, man, they're gonna need lots of help.

That's when I jumped on board." 20 per cent of the collection will be distributed to local social agencies. The rest will go to such places as Haiti, Japan and Peru. Last year, Belshaw collected 40,000 pairs of shoes.

 For a list of drop off locations, visit http://www.sole4soulscanada.com/

 Hayley Cooper - Kelowna

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles4Souls Is Back!! EZ Mornings with Andy and TJ 101.5

4/4/2011


Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club has adopted Roy’s Shoes Soles4Souls shoe campaign and announces that it has committed to collect 1 million pairs of shoes within the next 5 years!! WOW!! This year’s goal is to collect 100,000 pairs in 25 days. The shoe collection drive runs from April 6 through to April 30th, 2011.


Listen to our chat with Jim Belshaw of Roy's Shoes about this great campaign:

Last year Roy’s had tremendous success and with the generous hearts of the Okanagan residents, collected over 40,000 pairs of Shoes in 25 days.

This year, working again with the international shoe charity Soles4Souls USA Sunrise Rotary’s goal of 100,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days will be achieved by the assistance of other Rotary Clubs, service organizations and the people of the Thompson/Okanagan area.

ROY’S SHOES ANNOUNCES: KELOWNA SUNRISE ROTARY & SOLES4SOULS - THE SHOE CHARITY

“Million Shoe Mission”

1,000,000 Shoes for Soles 4 Souls

Press Conference

April 6^th 2011 at 1:00PM

Roy’s Shoes - 1627 Ellis Street

Mayor Sharon Shepherd – Maxine DeHart- Jim Belshaw

Soles4Souls

Changing the world, One Pair at a time

Aril 6^th through April 30th 2011

Jim Belshaw of Roy's Shoes

KELOWNA, BC – Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club has adopted Roy’s Shoes Soles4Souls shoe campaign and announces that they have committed to collect 1 million pairs of shoes within the next 5 years. This year’s goal is to collect 100,000 pairs in 25 days. The shoe collection drive runs from April 6 through to April 30^th. 

Last year we had tremendous success and with the generous hearts of the Okanagan people we collected over 40,000 pairs of Shoes in 25 days.

This year, working again with the international shoe charity Soles4Souls USA Sunrise Rotary’s goal of 100,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days will be achieved by the assistance of other Rotary Clubs, service organizations and the people of the Thompson/Okanagan area.

Last year 7,000 pairs of the 40,000 pairs of shoes collected remained in the Okanagan and were distributed out to the community through agencies like Gospel Mission, Now Canada, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and the Friendship Center. The remaining shoes were shipped to a Soles4Souls sorting center in Nevada where they were resorted and shipped to the people most in need, primarily Haiti last year.

Since it’s inception in 2005 Soles4Souls have distributed over 13.5 million pairs of shoes, supports 127 countries and is committed to assisting Japan with 100,000 pairs of shoes already shipped with more to come.




Click Picture for Drop Off Locations

  Whether it’s Southeast Asia, New Orleans, Haiti, Africa, or Japan, Soles4Souls is committed to helping people in the midst of extreme poverty and those recovering from natural disasters by providing shoes that will protect them from disease and provide them a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.

The tragedy in Japan reminds us of the 300 million children around the world who live a life of tragedy and disaster every day. By giving them the gift of shoes, you tell them that it’s possible to dream beyond their current situation and remind them that there are people who love and care about them.

If you’re interested in supporting Soles4Souls’ relief efforts, let me encourage you to visit http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/ to find the nearest shoe drop-off location. Monetary donations can be made at Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/

Situations like Japan remind us just how much we have. Consider sharing your extra shoes and a few extra dollars to help change the lives of people around the world with the gift of shoes.

There are 3 ways to help

1)     Drop off shoe locations at anyone of the drop off locations see http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/  for all locations   

           
               Roy’s Shoes, All Capri Insurance, Marks Work Wear, McDonalds and OK Tire Shops

2)     A $1.00 donation buys 1 pairs of NEW SANDALS. Go to http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/ 

3)     Organize a shoe drive at school, church, and your place of business or your neighborhood!!!

WE NEED YOU TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS!!!

Estimates are that every person has 3 or 4 pairs at least in their closet that are not worn any more but still in good shape. We ask that you clean out your closets but convince your friends, neighbors and relatives to do the same. We ask that the shoes have no holes in the soles and in decent shape. All footwear including sandals and boots are accepted and needed.

PLEASE TIE SHOES TOGETHER OR USE ELASTIC BANDS TO HOLD SHOES IN PAIRS

It is also the GREEN thing to do. There are tons of discarded footwear in the landfills that when break down the toxic glue that holds our shoes together can leak into our water supply and atmosphere.

Thompson/Okanagan citizens and companies interested in donating can visit the Soles4Souls at http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/ or call Jim Belshaw @ Roy’s Shoes 250-763-5696

About Soles4Souls® - Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you.  We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 13.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 127 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States.  Visit http://www.giveshoes.org/ for more information.

About the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Kelowna. Sunrise Rotary Club is part of a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world

Since Kelowna Sunrise Club’s inception 25 years ago they have raised and distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars into the community. Sixty percent of all funds stay right here in Kelowna and the remaining go to international projects.

SOLES4SOULS CONTACT:

Jim Belshaw

Roy’s Shoes Boots and Repair

1627 Ellis Street, Kelowna, V1Y2A8

250-763-5696

                              roysshoes@shaw.ca      http://www.roysshoes.com/     http://www.sole4soulscanada.com/

-30-

Soles for Souls - Road to Recovery on ABC News

Soles for Souls - That's a Wrap!!!

Soles 4 Souls Canada from Jerry Mason on Vimeo.

Jim Belshaw Roy's Shoes
Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles 4 Souls Kelowna CHBC News 40,000 Collected April 2010

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.roysshoes.com
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696

Soles 4 Souls exceeds goal

Doris Janssen, CHBC News Kelowna: Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Kelowna’s generosity has exceeded a local charity goal and will help people all over the world walk an extra mile or two in a decent pair of shoes.

The locally organized Soles 4 Souls fundraiser was originally looking for 25,000 pairs of shoes for needy people in the Okanagan and in 125 countries around the world. More than 40,000 pairs have been donated.

“Not only the people of Kelowna and the Okanagan have opened up their hearts to this cause, they've opened up their closets in droves and brought down lots of footwear,” says Jim Belshaw, the local organizer and owner of Roy’s Shoes in Kelowna.

Sorting is taking place to box up the shoes and send them to a sorting location in Nevada, where the shoes will be distributed by the world wide Soles 4 Souls organization, with the help of Telus Community Ambassadors and the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club.

Many pairs stayed in the Okanagan to benefit less fortunate people.

Shoe manufacturer Keen also donated dozens of brand new shoes for the cause.

“What we did was contact as many social agencies up and down the valley we could,” says Belshaw. “I was on the phone right until last night. Contacting them and reminding them to come down.”

“He’s got a variety of warm boots and runners and also has sandals,” says Sonja Mountain, an outreach worker with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society. “With the warm weather coming up it's going to be awesome for our clients.”

“Often times when our clients are going to find a job, or go to work, they need boots or decent shoes, and it’s always posed a problem,” says Mountain. “When he called us for this opportunity we jumped on it.”

The event is expected to take place every year.

Jim Belshaw
Roy's Shoes, Boots and Repair
http://www.royshoes.com/
1627 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A8
250-763-5696